Make way for the miracle that is micellar water

You wash your face everyday for your entire life and then a single product comes along that makes you realise that maybe you have been unknowingly walking the earth with grubby skin. The miracle that is micellar water is here to stay. So if you’ve grown up knowing the importance of a great skincare routine, have never rushed your skincare régime but are finding it hard to commit to a 3-step, 4-step, even a 5-step morning and nightly routine, then micellar water is for you.

Micellar water has been heralded as the magical, no-rinse remedy to replace your cleanser, toner and moisturiser in a single step. Skincare devotees have every right to be sceptical but the fact that nearly every beauty editor and makeup artist sings its praises and wonders how they ever lived without it, you too could soon be ditching your face wash and cream in favour of micellar water.

So how does it work? The formula is made of micelles, which are tiny oil molecules suspended in soft water and originated over a hundred of years ago to help Parisians combat their harsh water supply. Micelles are attracted to dirt, grime, and oil, and they draw out impurities without drying out your skin. Whereas a foamy solution can strip your skin, micelles cling on to the dirt and makeup, dissolving them to leave behind a glowing, hydrated skin.

So instead of washing with a traditional cleanser just drench a cotton pad in this miracle fluid, swipe over you face and repeat until the grime and make-up is no more. Micellar water is not to be confused with face wipes that will just smear dirt around your face. And unlike toner, it doesn’t contain alcohol and never stings, meaning you can use it around the sensitive eye area. It is the perfect way to pare back an extensive night-time routine of double cleansing, exfoliation, and toner, and in the morning your skin won’t need a full cleanse, just wipe it over your face with a cotton pad.

BLOW THE BUDGET

1. ELEMIS ‘Smart Cleanse Micellar’ Water, 200ml £24.00
2. Lancome Eau Micellaire Douceur, 200ml £23.50
3. Decléor Soothing Micellar Water With Rose Essential Oil, 200ml £22.00
4. Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water, 180ml £16.00
5. Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals, 200ml £14.00
6. Eau Thermale Avène Micellar Lotion Cleanser, 200ml £13.00
7. La Roche-Posay Micellar Water, 200ml £11.00
8. Bioderma Sensibio H2O, 250ml £10.50

Available from Debenhams, House of Fraser, Boots and Superdrug

You’ll find this miracle one-step cleanser in almost every beauty range, from luxury brands like Decleor, Lance and Nuxe, to high street heroes such as Simple and Garnier. As it requires absolutely no rinsing and is suited for all skin types, especially super dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, micellar water is a serious addition to the beauty market. Some brands like No7 and Garnier have versions for Oily skin and for Dry and Sensitive skins as well.

PURSE FRIENDLY

1. No7 Beautiful Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, 200ml £8.50
2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Micellar Water, 200ml £7.99
3. Super Facialist Probiotic Micellar Cleansing Water, 200ml £6.99
4. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, 400ml £4.99
5. L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfection Micellar Water, 200ml £4.99
6. Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water, 200ml £4.99
7. NIVEA Essentials Sensitive 3in1 Micellar Cleansing Water, 200ml £3.69
8. Boots Simply Sensitive Micellar Water, 200ml £1.99

Available from Boots, Superdrug, Savers and SemiChem

If you want to find the right micellar water for you without investing in a 400ml bottle, first look in-store at Debenhams, Boots, Savers, SemiChem and Superdrug for travel and trial sizes from almost all of the beauty brands, or buy a 200ml bottle, then when you’ve discovered the one you love the most, stock up when there is a promotion. Trust us, your skin will never look better.